Packing Box Having RF Interference Preventing Compartment

ABSTRACT

A packing box with an attached RFID tag for containing an aluminum coated package, includes a front cover; side covers extending from opposite side edges of the front cover to a predetermined length; a rear cover extending from either of the side covers to a predetermined length; an upper cover extending from an upper edge of the rear cover to a predetermined length; lower covers extending from lower edges of the front and rear covers, respectively, to a predetermined length; and at least one RF interference preventing compartment extending and being folded from upper edges of the side covers to a predetermined length, wherein the RF interference preventing compartments cover an aluminum coated package contained in the packing box while leaving a gap to be spaced apart from the aluminum coated package

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a packing box with an RFID tag for containing an aluminum coated package and, more particularly, to a packing box with an RFID tag in which the RFID tag is spaced apart from an aluminum coated package contained in the packing box so as to prevent RF interference between the aluminum coated package and the RFID tag.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally, a blister pack is used for primarily packaging small consumer goods such as food, chewing gums, chocolates, pills (tablets), capsules and the like so as to prevent external factors including moisture, oxygen and sunlight from passing through the goods, and to provide a shock absorbing ability, thus preventing individually packed goods from being broken or damaged.

FIG. 1 illustrates a blister pack for packing goods. As shown in FIG. 1, a blister pack 10 includes an upper film in which a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) layer of 65 μm, an aluminum layer of 55 μm and a nylon layer of 25 μmare laminated. The upper film 1 is thermally punched to form a cavity or pocket 1 a which is open at one side. A small good is then inserted into the pocket 1 a. Subsequently, an adhesive layer 2 made of adhesive resin is applied to a surface of the upper film 1, that is, a surface of the PVC layer, and then a lower film 3 made of a Press Through Pack (PTP) aluminum foil comes into close contact with the adhesive layer 2. Next, a surface of the upper film 1 coming into close contact with the adhesive layer 2 is thermally fused to the lower film 3 at 190° C. for about 0.7 seconds so that the upper and lower films 1 and 3 are joined, thereby forming the blister pack hermetically packing the good.

Generally, after the primary hermetic packing has been performed, a plurality of blister packs may be put into a packing box which is usually made of a piece of paper according to the number of packages in order to perform dual packing. Regardless of such a purpose, a dual packing may be carried out so as to make a product look better and luxurious.

The packing box has printed items such as a name for the good in vernacular and English, and a notice including ingredients and a quantity of the good, manufacturing and selling organization or importing organization, on the outer surface thereof. Further, a bar code is also attached to the packing box to control the distribution of packing boxes. However, such a bar code is susceptible to surrounding obstacles, and has a short reading distance (about 20cm). In general, one bar code is read for each packing box by a short-distance quasi-contact-type reader, and therefore, it is not suitable and inefficient to control the packing boxes having the bar code in mass distribution. Further, since the bar code may be copied and forged, it is problematic in that the security of the packing boxes is vulnerable.

Meanwhile, compared with the bar code, an RFID tag has advantages of a long reading distance (about 500cm) in a non-contact manner, and not being affected very much by surrounding obstacles. Further, a set of about 300 to 500 RFID tags may be simultaneously read by the reader. In addition, the RFID tag may be designed to preclude from being duplicated, and thus the security may be tightened by encoding the access to and reading of data on the product. Therefore, the RFID tag attached to a packing box is more advantageous than the bar code in terms of the technical applicability including inventory stocktaking, security, prevention of duplication, and tracking of distribution channels, and in terms of the function including reading distance, restrictions to an obstacle, and reading/writing speed.

In spite of the above-mentioned advantages, one of the problems occurring in the usage of RFID tags is the interference of RF waves. That is, in the case where the blister pack with the coated aluminum foil is contained in the packing box having the RFID tag, the RF interference occurs because of the properties of the aluminum foil that reflects the RF waves. Especially in the case of a UHF-band passive tag attached to the packing box to control inventory and distribution, it highly affects the reading rate of the tag when the RF wave is converted depending on materials to which the tag is attached.

In addition, there is a need to take into consideration that RFID tag chip is susceptible to shocks and external stimuli, and the damage to the RFID tag is prevented.

Further, even when the above measurements are applied to the packing box, it is desirable that no substantial change is made in a shape of the packing box and consumers do not feel the change.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above, the present invention provides a packing box with RFID tag in which a gap is formed to be spaced apart from an aluminum coated package contained in the packing box, thus preventing RF interference between the aluminum coated package and the RFID tag.

Further, the present invention provides the packing box, which can be manufactured by utilizing an existing manufacturing process without changing the appearance thereof.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a packing box with an attached RFID tag for containing an aluminum coated package, the packing box comprising:

a front cover;

side covers extending from opposite side edges of the front cover to a predetermined length;

a rear cover extending from either of the side covers to a predetermined length;

an upper cover extending from an upper edge of the rear cover to a predetermined length;

lower covers extending from lower edges of the front and rear covers, respectively, to a predetermined length; and

at least one RF interference preventing compartments extending and being folded from upper edges of the side covers to a predetermined length, wherein the RF interference preventing compartments cover an aluminum coated package contained in the packing box while leaving a gap to be spaced apart from the aluminum coated package

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a packing box with an attached RFID tag for containing an aluminum coated package, the packing box comprising:

a front cover;

side covers extending and being folded from opposite side edges of the front cover to a predetermined length;

a rear cover extending and being folded from a side edge of either of the side covers to a predetermined length;

an upper cover extending and being folded from an upper edge of the rear cover to a predetermined length;

lower covers extending and being folded from lower edges of the front cover and the rear cover which has the rear cover extended therefrom, respectively, to a predetermined length; and

an RF interference preventing compartment extending from an upper edge of the front cover to a predetermined length, the RF interference reventing compartment being folded to cover the aluminum coated package, while leaving a gap to be spaced apart from the aluminum coated package contained in the packing box.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a blister pack of the related art;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a packing box in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a development view of the packing box of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a modified embodiment of the interference preventing compartment of the packing box of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a packing box in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a development view of the packing box of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the packing box with an RFID tag wherein the RF interference preventing compartment an inner cover part of FIG. 5 is closed;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that they can be readily implemented by those skilled in the art. It should be understood that the embodiments are illustrative and not restrictive. Further, the same reference numerals are used throughout the different drawings to designate the same or similar components.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a packing box in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention wherein its upper cover is open; and FIG. 3 is a development view of the packing box of FIG. 2.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a packing box 100 of the present invention comprises a hexahedral box that contains a plurality of aluminum coated packages 10, such as blister packs. The packing box 100 includes a front cover 20, first and second side covers 40 and 41, a rear cover 50, an upper cover 60, first and second lower covers 70 and 71, and RF interference preventing compartments 90, all of which are integrally formed on a sheet of paper.

Auxiliary support pieces 42 and 44 are provided on lower edges of the first and second side covers 40 and 41, respectively. An adhesive surface 52 is formed on a side edge of the rear cover 50. Alternatively, the adhesive surface 52 may be formed on a side edge of the first side cover 40. Reference numeral 62 denotes an inserting surface which extends from the upper cover 60.

The first and second side covers 40 and 41 extend and folded from opposite side edges of the front cover 20 to a predetermined length. The rear cover 50 extends and is folded from a side edge of either of the first or second side cover 40 or 41, e.g., the second side cover 41 to a predetermined length. The upper cover 60 extends and is folded from an upper edge of the rear cover 50 to a predetermined length. The first and second lower covers 70 and 71 extend and are folded from lower edges of the front and rear covers 20 and 50, respectively, to a predetermined length. The RF interference preventing compartments 90 extend and are folded from upper edges of the first side cover 40 and/or the second side cover 41 to a predetermined length, and cover the aluminum coated packages 10 while forming a predetermined gap ‘G’ to be spaced apart from the aluminum coated packages 10.

In this embodiment, it has been shown and described that the RF interference preventing compartments 90 are formed on both upper edges of the front cover 20 and the upper cover 60 is formed on an upper edge of the rear cover 50. It will be understood, however, that the RF interference preventing compartment 90 may be formed on the upper edge of the rear cover 50 and the upper cover 60 may be formed on the upper edge of the front cover 20.

Each of the first and second lower covers 70 and 71 has on their right and left sides first and second fastening pieces 74 and 76, respectively. Each of the second fastening pieces 76 has an incision part 72. In assembling the box, the first fastening piece 74 is inserted into the incision part 72 of the counter second fastening piece 76, whereby the lower covers 70 and 71 overlap and are fastened to each other.

Each of the RF interference preventing compartment 90 includes an inner cover part 94 which extends and is folded from upper edges of the side covers 40 and 41 by a predetermined length and one or more spacing surfaces 92 in the middle of the inner cover part 94, each of which is divided into equal parts and folded against each other. The inner cover parts 94 at the side covers 40 and 41 cover the aluminum coated packages 10 contained in the packing box 100, while leaving the gap ‘G’ by the spacing surfaces 92. Accordingly, the RF interference preventing compartment 90 maintains the gap corresponding to the width of the spacing surfaces 92, from the aluminum coated packages 10. Of course, the width of the spacing surface 92 may be adjusted depending on the height of the aluminum coated packages 10 contained in the packing box 100.

FIG. 4 shows a modified embodiment of the RF interference preventing compartment of the packing box 100 of FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 4, the RF interference preventing compartment 90 includes a cover part 104 which expands and is folded from an upper edge of either of the side covers 40 and 41, and spacing surfaces 102 which extend and are folded from the cover part 104 to form a gap ‘G’. In this case, the RF interference preventing compartment 90 also maintains the gap corresponding to the width of the spacing surface 102, from the aluminum coated packages 10 contained in the packing box 100.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the packing box 100 of the present invention further includes an RFID tag 80 which is attached to an upper inner cover part 94. In this embodiment, there is shown that the RFID tag 80 is attached to the upper inner cover part 94. However, unlike the embodiment, the RFID tag 80 may be attached to a lower cover part 94, the spacing surface 92, or the first side cover 40 corresponding to the spacing surface 92 or the upper portion of the front cover 20. In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 4, the RFID tag 80 may be attached to the spacing surfaces 102, or the side covers 40 and 41 corresponding to the spacing surfaces 102, or the upper portion of the front and/or rear cover 20 and/or 50.

In the packing box 100 of the embodiments of the present invention, the RFID tag(s) 80 is spaced apart from the aluminum coated packages 10 in the packing box 100 by the spacing surfaces 92 of the RF interference preventing compartment 90, thereby preventing the aluminum coated packages 10 and the RFID tag 80 from colliding with each other, as well as preventing the RF interference therebetween.

Meanwhile, even when the RFID tag 80 is attached to the upper portion of the upper cover 60 or the rear cover 50, the RF interference may be blocked to some extent. However, since a great number of packing boxes may be stacked up, it is preferable that the RFID tag 80 be attached to the spacing surface 92 or 102 or a portion corresponding to the spacing surface 92 or 102. As such, it may be preferable that the RFID tag 80 be attached to the upper cover 60 because a spacing distance between the RFID tag 80 and the aluminum coated package 10 is at a maximum. However, it is understood that the RFID tag 80 may be attached to the spacing surface 92 or 102 or the upper and lower cover parts 104 as long as the RFID tag 80 located at this position does not hinder the interference of RF waves.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a packing box in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein an upper cover of the packing box is open; FIG. 6 is a development view of the packing box of FIG. 5; and FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the packing box with an RFID tag wherein the RF interference preventing compartment an inner cover part of FIG. 5 is closed. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the packing box 110 of the present invention comprises a hexahedral box that contains a plurality of aluminum coated packages 10 such as blister packs. The packing box 100 includes a front cover 20, first and second side covers 40 and 41, a rear cover 50, an upper cover 60, first and second lower covers 70 and 71, and an RF interference preventing compartment 90, all of which are integrally formed on a sheet of paper.

The first and second side covers 40 and 41 extend from opposite side edges of the front cover 20 to a predetermined length. The rear cover 50 extends and is folded from any one side edge of either of the first or second side cover 40 or 41, for example, the second side cover 41 to a predetermined length. The upper cover 60 extends and is folded from an upper edge of the rear cover 50 to a predetermined length. The first and second lower covers 70 and 71 extend and are folded from lower edges of the front and rear covers 20 and 50, respectively, to a predetermined length.

The RF interference preventing compartment 90 extends and is folded from an upper edge of the front cover 20 to a predetermined length, and covers the aluminum coated package to form a gap ‘G’ to be spaced apart from the aluminum coated packages 10 by a predetermined interval. Auxiliary support pieces 42 and 44 are provided on upper and lower edges of the first and second side covers 40 and 41, respectively. An adhesive surface 52 is formed on a side edge of the rear cover 50. Alternatively, the adhesive surface 52 may be formed on a side edge of the first or second side cover 40 or 41. Reference numeral 62 denotes an inserting surface which extends from the upper cover 60.

Further, there has been shown and described that the RF interference preventing compartment 90 is formed on an upper edge of the front cover 20 and the upper cover 60 is formed on an upper edge of the rear cover 50. However, unlike such a configuration, the upper cover 60 may be formed on the upper edge of the front cover 20, and the RF interference preventing compartment 90 may be formed on the upper edge of the rear cover 50.

Each of the first and second lower covers 70 and 71 has on their right and left sides first and second fastening pieces 74 and 76, respectively. Each second fastening piece 76 has an incision part 72. In assembling the packing box 100, the first fastening piece 74 is inserted into the incision part 72 of the counter second fastening piece 76, whereby the lower covers 70 and 71 overlap and are fastened to each other.

The RF interference preventing compartment 90 includes a spacing surface 92 which extends and is folded from the upper edge of the front cover 20 by a predetermined length, and an inner cover part 94 which extends and is folded from the spacing surface 92 by a predetermined length. The spacing surface 92 is attached to an inner surface of the front cover 20 when being folded. The inner cover part 94 covers the aluminum coated packages 10 contained in the packing box 100, while leaving the gap ‘G’ by the folded spacing surfaces 92. Accordingly, the RF interference preventing compartment 90 maintains the gap from the aluminum coated packages 10 contained in the packing box 110. Of course, the width of the spacing surface 92 may be adjusted depending on the height of the aluminum coated packages 10 contained in the box.

Alternatively, in lieu of the RF interference preventing compartment 90 extending from the upper edge of the front cover 20, either of the auxiliary support pieces 42 formed on the upper edges of the side covers 40 and 41 may be substituted with the RF interference preventing compartment 90 including the spacing surface 92 and the inner cover part 94 to cover the aluminum coated package, thereby forming a gap.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the packing box 100 further includes an RFID tag 80 which is attached to an upper portion of the rear cover 50. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7, the RFID tag 80 may be attached to the spacing surface 92 or the upper portion of the side covers 40 and 41 corresponding to the spacing surface 92 or the upper portion of the front cover 20.

In the packing box 110 of the present invention, therefore, the RFID tag 80 is spaced apart from the aluminum coated packages 10 by the spacing surface 92 of the RF interference preventing compartment 90, thereby preventing the aluminum coated packages 10 and the RFID tag 80 from colliding with each other, as well as preventing the RF interference therebetween.

Of course, even when the RFID tag 80 is attached to the upper portion of the upper cover 60, the RF interference may be blocked to some extent. However, since a great number of packing boxes may be stacked up, it is preferable that the RFID tag 80 be attached to the spacing surface 92 or the rear cover 50 corresponding to the spacing surface 92.

As described above, the present invention provides a packing box, in which the aluminum coated packages 10 contained in the packing box can be spaced apart from the RFID tag 80 attached to the inside of the packing box by the spacing surface 92 of the RF interference preventing compartment 90. Accordingly, packing boxes may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined space even if the packing boxes are stacked up, thereby preventing the RF interference between the RFID tag and the aluminum coated packages, and preventing the aluminum coated packages 10 from colliding with the RFID tag 80, and resulting in the improvement of the identification efficiency of the RFID tags.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a packing box, which has the same appearance as the existing packing box and has a developed shape similar to the existing developed shape, so that the packing box can be manufactured without considerably changing the process of manufacturing the packing box. In addition, the present invention provides a packing box, which solves the weakness of the RFID tag which is susceptible to shocks and external stimuli, prevents the RFID tag from unexpectedly being damaged, and prevents consumers from feeling the difference.

While the invention has been shown and described with respect to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. 

1. An packing box with an RFID tag for containing an aluminum coated package, the packing box comprising: a front cover; a first and a second side covers extending from opposite side edges of the front cover to a predetermined length; a rear cover extending from either of the side covers to a predetermined length; an upper cover extending from an upper edge of the rear cover to a predetermined length; lower covers extending from lower edges of the front and rear covers, respectively, to a predetermined length; and at least one RF interference preventing compartments extending and being folded from an upper edge of the first side cover and/or the second side cover to a predetermined length, wherein the RF interference preventing compartment covers an aluminum coated package contained in the packing box while leaving a gap to be spaced apart from the aluminum coated package
 2. The packing box of claim 1, wherein the RF interference preventing compartment comprises: an inner cover part which extends and is folded from the upper edge of the first side cover and/or the second side cover by a predetermined length to cover the aluminum coated package; and one or more spacing surfaces being folded in the middle of the inner cover part to leave the gap to be separated from the aluminum coated package.
 3. The packing box of claim 2, wherein the RF interference preventing compartment includes: a cover part extending and being folded from an upper edge of either of the side covers by a predetermined length to cover the aluminum coated package; and a spacing surface extending and being folded from the cover part to form the gap, the spacing space being attached to an inner surface of the first side cover and/or the second side cover which has the rear cover extended therefrom.
 4. The packing box of claim 2, wherein the RFID tag is attached to a top or bottom of the inner cover part, the spacing surface, the side cover corresponding to the spacing surface, or an upper portion of the front cover.
 5. The packing box of claim 3, wherein the RFID tag is attached to a top or bottom of the inner cover part, the spacing surface, the side cover corresponding to the spacing surface, or an upper portion of the front cover.
 6. A packing box with an RFID tag for containing an aluminum coated package, the packing box comprising: a front cover; side covers extending and being folded from opposite side edges of the front cover to a predetermined length; a rear cover extending and being folded from a side edge of either of the side covers to a predetermined length; an upper cover extending and being folded from an upper edge of the rear cover to a predetermined length; lower covers extending and being folded from lower edges of the front cover and the rear cover which has the rear cover extended therefrom, respectively, to a predetermined length; and an RF interference preventing compartment extending from an upper edge of the front cover to a predetermined length, the RF interference preventing compartment being folded to cover the aluminum coated package, while leaving a gap to be spaced apart from the aluminum coated package contained in the box
 7. The packing box of claim 6, wherein the RF interference preventing compartment comprises: a spacing surface extending and folded from an upper edge of the front cover and/or either of the side covers by a predetermined length to form the gap, the spacing surface being contacted with an inner side of the front cover; and an inner cover part extending and being folded from the spacing surface to a predetermined length to cover the aluminum coated package.
 8. The packing box of claim 6, wherein the RFID tag is attached to the RF interference preventing compartment, an upper portion of the side cover corresponding to the spacing surface or an upper portion of the front cover or the rear cover. 